What's on in Ballarat

Just across the ditch to Van Diemen’s Land, there is a band making serious waves on the modern death metal scene. Psycroptic have been around for almost 20 years now and are about to embark on a tour of Oz promoting their latest album As The Kingdom Drowns. Joining them on this tour will be Melbourne-born rockers Orpheus Omega. Having toured nationally and abroad, these lads have shared the stage with some of the heavyweights of modern metal. Get down to Karova on November 29 to cheer these boys on. It’s $25 to get in.
There is an interesting gig scheduled for December 8 when Jim Moginie & The Family Dog arrive in town. Moginie is better known for being one of the guitarist/pianist in the mighty Midnight Oil. Getting a few legends together from the likes of The Celibate Rifles and Youth Group, there’s some experience and talent in this band! If you are an Oils fan, the word is that there are a couple of Oils songs thrown in to the set list! It’s a Saturday night and it looks like a great way to finish up your Christmas party and land at Karova Lounge.
If country music is your thing, then you must get to The Lost Ones to see Fanny Lumsden on December 6 when she hollers her way through her latest album Real Class Act. Having been nominated for Best Country Album in the 2018 ARIA Awards, Lumsden has covered over 100,000 km’s with husband/band mate/business partner in their little caravan playing all over the country. They sound like a fun bunch with their band interests on their Facebook bandpage listed as totem tennis, Pho and ponies!
Cabaret Club still has plenty of shows happening and on Friday 14 December, Motor City Sounds will play a special Christmas show when they recreate the sounds of Motown and Soul. Jordie Lane and Ayleen O recently wowed the folk at the Cabaret Club on a Friday night late in November. Ayleen O is probably better known as the guitarist vocalist in Mick Thomas & The Roving Commission. A real songbird is Ayleen and if you can catch her over the Christmas break, do your darndest to get along and see her.
Red Peppa is the place to go if you want a great feed in Ballarat. Hearty meals and very reasonably priced. The restaurant has just revamped the menu and you can head there before you wander around the corner to The Lost Ones Bar for a nightcap.
Written by Glen Anderson